The Hindu– 10th Jul, 2012
The coverage of the launch of river raft at Pazhashi park, by Navgathi.
The Wayanad District Tourism Promotion Council is preparing to tap monsoon tourism potential by offering various aquatic adventure tourism packages.
S. Harikishore, Sub-Collector who is also the secretary of the DTPC, told The Hindu that aquatic adventure tourism packages would be launched to tap the potential offered by various rivers and lakes in the hill district.
He said the DTPC had purchased adventure sports equipment, including white water rafts, water tricycles, zorbing balls, and pedal boats with the fund provided by the State government for promotion of adventure tourism.
“We had submitted a proposal costing Rs.18 lakh to the government. The Tourism Department sanctioned Rs.10 lakh for the first phase, Mr. Harikishore said. River rafting would be launched on two tributaries of the Kabani, the Anoth and Mananthavadi rivers, whereas, other water sports equipment would be available for tourists on the premises of Pookode Lake.
“We are planning to launch three river rafting packages for an eight-member tourist group on two trails, including 6-km rafting in Mananthavadi River from Pazhassi Park at Mananthavadi to Koyileri –Dasanakkara and a 20- km trip from the Pazhassi Park to Kuruva Islands, said K. Biju, manager, DTPC.
There will be two river rafting (8 km and 16 km) packages on the Anoth river. Apart from this, a special package christened “’Explore Wayanad’ is also on the anvil, Mr. Biju
said adding that it offered two nights and three days rafting at a cost of Rs.25,000, including food, angling, and tented accommodation for an eight-member group .The rafting package on the Kabani will begin at Vythiri and end at Bavali, near Barakuppa on the Kerala –Karnataka State border.
We have purchased two white water rafts, each costing Rs.2.5 lakh, camping materials, angling equipment and sleeping bags for the purpose, he added. The facilities would be made available in one week, Mr. Harikishore said.
Reference: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3622601.ece